Can opener



E. ZUMSKI CAN OPENER Sept. 18, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1946 Won dwou d umski Sept. 18, 1951 E, UMSK. 2,568,106

' CAN OPENER Filed July 27, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 18, 1951 CAN OPENER Edward Zumski, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ekco Products Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application July 27, 1946, Serial No. 686,643

9 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in can openers, and has particular reference to can openers provided with a swinging frame supported for movement into and out of operative position, and with a cutting blade and feed wheel adapted to be brought into and out of cutting association.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a can opener of the foregoing character in which the swinging frame is adapted to be automatically locked in operative position upon movement of the cutting blade and feed wheel into cutting association, and to be released for free swinging movement upon'retraction of the blade from the wheel.

Another object is to provide the can opener with locking means available also to secure the swinging frame in idle position.

A further object is to provide a can opener of the foregoing character having a single actuating element for moving the cutting blade and feed wheel selectively into and out of operative association, and for locking and releasing the frame respectively against and for swinging movement.

A general object is to provide a new and improved can opener of the swinging-wall type which is simple, sturdy and inexpensive in construction, and which is efiicient and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a can opener embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4. is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along line Ii-6 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the can opener, constituting the exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises a main frame I adapted to be pivotally secured to a wall bracket 2 for swinging movement, preferably horizontally, either into an idle position parallel to and closely along a supporting wall 5, or into an operative position perpendicular thereto. In the specific form disclosed, the wall bracket 2 has a mounting base 3 adapted to be rigidly secured, as by means of screws 4, in flat engagement with the wall 5, and is bifurcated to pro-- In order to provide substantial spacing, one of the screws 4 is located between the legs 6 and I, and the other extends through a depending lug 8 on the base 3 below the leg I. The pivoted end of the main frame I is formed with a rounded bearing 9 which is inserted with a snug fit between the legs 6 and 'I. A pivot pin I0 is inserted vertically through suitable registering openings in the legs 6 and I and bearing 9 to complete the pivotal connection.

, Suitably mounted in the free outer end of the frame I at the cutting. side is a corrugated or serrated feed wheel II for engaging beneath the upper rim of the can to be opened. The wheel I I is fixed on one end of a shaft I2 journalled in and extending through a transverse bore I3 in the frame I. A hand crank I 4 for rotating the wheel II is secured to the other end of the shaft I2.

vide two vertically-shaped parallel outwardlyextending legs 6 and I.

A secondary frame or carrier I5, supporting a rotary cutter I6, is mounted on the main frame I for reversible movement either to locate the cutter in shearing relation with the feed wheel II or to retract the cutter therefrom. More particularly, the main frame I is formed along the top with spaced parallel upstanding side wall extensions I 'I and I8 defining longitudinal groove I9 in which the secondary frame I5 is movably disposed. Preferably, the secondary frame I5 is elongated and of inverted U- shape in lateral cross section, and is supported with its side legs 20 in close interfitting and sliding relation with the wall extensions I1 and I8.

To provide means for movably interconnecting the frames I and I5, the frame I is formed with a longitudinal slot 2| opening downwardly there through medially from the groove I9 between the extensions I7 and I8. In the present instance, the slot ZI is fiat-sided, and in alinement with and substantially equal in width to the space between the side legs 20 of the frame I5. Link means, anchored within the slot 2 I, serves to constrain the frame I5 for arcuate movement, with a component longitudinally of the frame I, as the cutter I6 is moved into and out of operative position. Preferably, the link means comprises a plurality of parallel links 22, two in the present instance, which are pivotally connected at their lower ends within the slot 2I by means of suitable pivot pins 23. The upper ends of the links 22 extend into the secondary frame I5, and are pivotally connected to the side legs 20 thereof by means of pivot pins 24. By reason of the parallel link connection, the frame I5 is always maintained parallel to the frame I in all positions of movement.

Normally, the secondary frame I5 is urged yieldably away from the frame I, i. e., upwardly and forwardly along an arcuate path, toward and. into open retracted position, as by means of a coiled compression spring 25. In the specific form shown, the spring 25 is seated at opposite ends in substantially alined pilot bores 26 located respectively in the adjacent surfaces of the frames I and I5 at their extreme outer ends. Preferably, the holes 25 are so located that the spring 25 is inclined in the general direction of the opening and closing frame movements.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the secondary frame I5, with the cutter, I6, against the resistance of the spring 25, into closed position, and for releasably locking the frame in such position. In the present instance, this means comprises a rotary cam or eccentric 21 having an operating hand lever 28, and being pivotally connected to the frame I and arranged to bear against the top of the frame I5. More particularly, the eccentric 21 is bifurcated to receive, and is pivotally connected by a pin 29 to the upper end of, a vertical post 36 extending from the outer end portion of the frame I through a slot 3| in the frame I5. The slot 3| extends longitudinally of the frame I5, and is of sufiicient length to permit the opening and closing movements thereof. Preferably, a similarly slotted wear plate 32 is set as a loose insert in the top wall of the frame I5 for direct bearing engagement with the eccentric 2'1. The face of the eccentric 21 is so curved that after movement of the frame I5 into fully closed position, as determined by abutment with the top of the frame I between the wall extensions I! and I8, engagement with the wear plate 32 will be effected at a locking angle to maintain the cutter in operative position.

One of the important features of the invention is to provide means for automatically locking the frame I in operative position simply as an incident to movement of the cutter I6 into cutting position. This means utilizes the inner end of the frame I5 as a locking plunger 33 which will be projected into or retracted out of interlocking engagement with the wall bracket 2 as a result of the longitudinal shifting movement of the frame. Thus, the upper leg 6 of the wall bracket 2 is formed in the outer end with a notch 34 in alinement with the plunger 33 when the frame I is swung outwardly into operative position, and adapted to receive the plunger when the secondary frame I5 is moved by the eccentric 21 in closed position. As a result, the can opener is automatically locked in position to prevent inadvertent displacement and to obtain rigidity whenever a can opening operation is being performed, and without necessitating any separate action by the user. tracted, the can opener is automatically released for free swinging movement into idle position.

The plunger 33 is similarly available to retain the can opener releasably in idle position. When the can opener is swung into position alongside the wall 5, actuation of the eccentric 21 to close the frame I5 will project the plunger 33 inwardly toward the adjacent side of the wall bracket 2 sufficiently to prevent inadvertent outward swinging movement by reason of interference with the outer end of the leg 6.

The remote side of the notch 34 is extended longitudinally of the leg 6 to define a stop lug 35 adapted for engagement with one side of the plunger 33 to locate the can opener in operative position. It will be evident in this connection that the plunger 33 is retractible sufficiently to clear one side of. the notch 34 so as to permit free When the cutter I6 is re-- swinging movement of the can opener in either direction through approximately ninety degrees between idle and operative positions, but never sufficiently to clear the stop lug 35.

Preferably, the end of the plunger 33 is formed with a curved recess 36 which is arranged to receive and engage a rounded projection 31 on the root surface of the notch 34 when the plunger is projected into locking position, thereby assisting in centering the frame or carrier I5.

The cutter I6 may be of any conventional type, and is shown as a rotary disk blade flat on one side and provided with a conical face 38 on the other side for overlapping shearing engagement with the outer side face of the feed wheel II. One side of the outer end of the frame or blade carrier I5 is provided with a lateral bearing lug or projection 39 which extends over the feed wheel II, and which is formed in the outer end with a recess 40. A plate 4I, located by a plurality of dowels 42 and removably secured in position by a screw 43, serves to close the outer side of the recess 40. The screw 43 extends through the recess 40, and serves also as a pintle for rotatably supporting the cutter I6 which is confined thereon against axial movement between the bottom of the recess and the plate 4|. Cleaning of the cutter I6 and the recess 40 thus maybe facilitated by removing the plate 4| The pintle 43 is inclined to the horizontal at an angle corresponding to that of the conical face 38 so that the latter will be substantially parallel to the outer side face of the feed wheel I I when in operative association therewith along a substantially radial line of contact. Preferably, and in order to improve the cutting action, the pintle 43 is also inclined in horizontal relation to the axis of the feed wheel II and shaft I2. In this instance, th inclination is relatively slight, for example approximately two degrees.

The frame members I and I5 are provided with various locating surfaces to assist in maintaining the can in proper position during the cutting operation. Thus, a laterally projectin lug 44 on the frame I extends outwardly below the feed wheel II to serve as a rest for the side of the can. The bottom surface 45 of the bearing projection 39 is flat, and adapted to rest against the top of the rim of the can. Particularly at the rear side of the cutter I6, the surface 45 acts as a guide to prevent rockin or tipping of the can.

In operation, the can opener frame assembly is swung horizontally from the idle to the operative position perpendicular to the wall 5. One side of the can to be opened is positioned against the lug 44 and with the underside of the head in contact with the top serrations of the feed wheel II. The lever 28 is then actuated to rotate the eccentric 21, thereby moving the frame I5 downwardly and rearwardly into closed position against the main frame. This movement of the clamp results simultaneously in punching the rotary cutter blade I 6 through the top of the can to bring the blade and wheel II into shearing relation, and in looking the can opener assembly positively in operative position due to the engagement of the end of plunger 33 in the notch 34. After the cutting operation has been completed, the clamp 21 is rotated in the reverse direction thereby moving the frame I5 into open position to retract the cutter I6 from the feed wheel II, and simultaneously retract the locking plunger 33 from the notch 34. The frame assembly may now be swung out of the way into idle position,

' main frame member mounted on said bracket for swingin movement; a slotted secondary frame member carried by said main frame member and movable longitudinally with respect thereto, the

inner end of said secondary frame member being of proper size to engage said notch in said bracket; resilient means tending to separate said frame members; feeding means carried by one of said frame members; cutting means carried by the other frame member and adapted to coact with said feeding means; eccentric lever-type clamping means attached to one of said frame members, and adapted to move said secondary frame member against said main frame member and longitudinally into said notch for the purpose of simultaneously bringing said cutting and feeding means into operative engagement and locking said main frame against movement with respect to said bracket. 7

2. In a can opener, in combination, a stationary support, a main frame mounted on said support for swinging movement relative to said support about an upright axis, means for locking said main frame against swinging movement including a secondary frame supported on said main frame for movement relative to said main frame toward and away from said support and interengaging means on said secondary frame and support operable to prevent movement of the secondary frame in the direction of swinging movement of the main frame upon movement of the secondary frame toward said main frame, cutting means mounted on one of said frames, and feeding means mounted on the other frame, said cutting and feeding means being movable into operative position simultaneously with movement of the secondary frame toward said main frame.

3. In a can opener, as claimed in claim 2, including clamping means associated with said frames for moving said secondary frame relative to said main frame.

4. In a can opener, as claimed in claim 2, including means for normally urging the secondary member in a direction away from said support.

5. In a can opener, in combination, a stationary support, a main frame mounted on said support for swinging movement relative to said support about an upright axis, means for locking said main frame against swinging movement including a secondary frame supported on said main frame for movement relative to said main frame toward and away from said support and interengaging means on said secondary frame and support operable to prevent movement of the secondary frame in the direction of swinging movement of the main frame upon movement of the secondary frame toward said main frame, cutting means mounted on said secondary frame, and feeding means mounted on the main frame, said cutting and feeding means being movable into operative position simultaneously with movement of the secondary frame toward said main frame.

6. In a can opener, in combination, a stationary support, a notch in said support, a main frame mounted on said support for swinging movement relative to said support, a secondary frame having an end portion engageable with said notch, means connecting said secondary frame and main frame adapted to provide limited movement of the secondary frame relative to the main frame toward and away from a position wherein said secondary frame is engageable with said notch, cutting means mounted on said secondary frame, feeding means mounted on the other frame, said cutting means and feeding means being movable into operative position simultaneously with movement of the secondary frame toward a position of engagement with said notch, means normally urging the secondary member in a direction clear of said notch, and clamping means associated with said frames for moving said secondary frame relative to said main frame.

7. In a can opener, in combination, a stationary support, a notch in said support, a main frame mounted on said support for swinging movement relative to said support, a secondary frame having an end portion engageable with said notch, means connecting said secondary frame and main frame including parallel links adapted to provide limited movement of the secondary frame relative to the main frame toward and away from a position wherein said secondary frame is engageable with said notch, cutting means mounted on said secondary frame, feeding means mounted on the other frame, said cutting means and feeding means being movable into operative position simultaneously with movement of the secondary frame toward a position of engagement with said notch, means normally urging the secondary member in a direction clear of said notch, and clamping means associated with said frames for moving said secondary frame relative to said main frame.

8. In a can opener, in combination, a stationary support, a notch in said support, a main frame mounted on said support for swinging movement relative to said support, a secondar frame having an end portion engageable with said notch, means connecting said secondary frame and main frame adapted to provide limited movement of the secondary frame relative to the main frame toward and away from a position wherein said secondary frame is engageable with said notch, cutting means mounted on said secondary frame, feeding means mounted on the other frame, said cutting means and feeding means being movable into operative position simultaneously with movement of the secondary frame toward a position of engagement with said notch, means normally urging the secondary member in a direction clear of said notch, and means associated with said frames for moving said secondary frame relative to said main frame including an openin in the secondary member, a post unitary with said main frame member projecting through said opening in the secondar member, an eccentric clamping lever pivotally secured to the projecting end of said post.

9. In a can opener as claimed in claim 2 wherein said secondary frame is supported above said main frame.

EDWARD ZUMSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,020,580 Schoenberger Nov. 12, 1935 2,041,288 Gould May 19, 1936 2,318,350 Zimmer et a1 May 4, 1943 2,383,929 Landry Aug. 28, 1945 

